Autologous myoblasts attenuate atrophy and improve tongue force in a denervated tongue model: A pilot study

Objectives/Hypothesis Autologous muscle‐derived stem cell (MdSC) therapy is a promising treatment to restore function. No group has evaluated MdSC therapy in a denervated tongue model. The purpose of this pilot investigation was to determine the extent of autologous MdSC survival, effects on tongue muscle atrophy, maximal contractile force, and lingual pressure in a denervated ovine tongue model. Study Design Pilot animal experiment. Methods Bilateral implantable cuff electrodes were placed around the hypoglossal nerves in two Dorper cross ewes. Tensometer and high‐resolution manometry (HRM) testing were performed during supermaximum hypoglossal nerve stimulation to assess baseline tongue strength. Sternocleidomastoid muscle biopsies were acquired to create autologous MdSC cultures. At 1 month, 5 × 10 8 green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labeled autologous MdSCs were injected into the partially denervated tongue. Two‐months postinjection, lingual tensometer testing, HRM, and postmortem histological assessment were performed. Results GFP+ myofibers were identified in denervated tongue specimens indicating MdSC survival. Muscle fiber diameter was larger in GFP+ fibers for both tongue specimens, suggesting attenuation of muscle atrophy. Myofiber diameter was larger in GFP+ myofibers than preinjury diameters, providing evidence of new muscle formation. These myogenic changes led to a 27% increase in maximal tongue contractile force and a 54% increase in maximum base of tongue pressure in one animal. Conclusions Autologous MdSC therapy may be a viable treatment for the partially denervated tongue, with current findings demonstrating that injected MdSCs survived and fused with tongue myofibers, with a resultant increase in myofiber diameter and an increase in tongue strength. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope , 124:E20–E26, 2014